Ansar al-Sunna
| Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Center of Gravity | Iraq1 | ||
 | Scope | National | |
| Goal | Defeat U.S. and allied forces in Iraq and establish Islamic state | ||
| Leader | Abu Abdullah al Shafii3 | ||
| Status | Active | |
| Status | Supported by al-Qaeda | |
| Status | Designated Terrorist Organization | ||
 | Core membership | 500-1,0001 | |
| Alias(es) | Ansar al-Islam1, Ansar al-Sunnah, Jund al-Islam1, Kurdish Taliban1, Partisans of Islam1, Followers of Islam in Kurdistan1, Helpers of Islam1, Soldiers of God1, Soldiers of Islam1, Jaish Ansar al-Sunna1 | |
| Key members | Mullah Halgurd Ahmadi, Muhammad Hisham Muhammad | ||
| Formed | 2003 | ||
| | |||
| Narrative and Notes | |||
| Reliable | Ansar al-Sunna, previously Ansar al-Islam, conducts a campaign of bombings, kidnappings and assassinations in Iraq. It is closely allied with al-Qaeda in Iraq but is regarded as somewhat distinct. Ansar al-Islam, its predecessor, formed in 2001 with Osama bin Laden's help. It was a grouping of Kurdish Islamic militants who had fought the secular Kurdish government in northern Iraq. | |
 | Possible | There is evidence Saddam Hussein supported, or at least tolerated, Ansar al-Islam as a foil to his Kurdish enemies in northern Iraq.2 | |
| | |||
| Sources | |||
| 1U.S. State Department. 'Country Reports on Terrorism' 2005. | |||
| 2The 9-11 Commission Report, July 22, 2004, Chapter 2.4. | |||
| 3U.S. Central Command press release. 'Iraqi Government releases 41 Most-Wanted list.' July 3, 2006. | |||
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| Page maintained by John Lumpkin | |||
| Click here for a disclaimer and detailed explanation of the confidence ratings. | |||
